A Career in IT Management - First Steps?

[SwiZz]

I'm turning 22 this year, and I spent the last three years doing Systems Design Engineering at Waterloo, and I struggled through it quite a bit, and the whole time I was there I knew i didn't even like engineering. This past September (2006) I decided to change careers and I switched to Ryerson's IT Management program. One of the reasons was because it had a co-op program, and Waterloo's Co-op program gave me so much great experience that I wanted to do an IT Co-op program.

Anyways, I'm doing reallllllly well in this program. And I find myself enjoying the material a lot more. I just wish I had made the switch a lot earlier.

My question to you guys is, specifically those of you who have careers in IT, is what steps do you feel is really important in starting a career. Is it getting many certifications such as Cisco, or ensuring I get a co-op job at a good company so that I have an opportunity to work there post-graduation, etc. I was planning on doing my first Cisco certification this summer in addition to hopefully finding an IT related job for the summer. I've already worked at BMO (web design), Scotiabank (programmer/analyst), and Nuance Communications (user interface technician) through my co-op terms at Waterloo and so I have some solid work experience so far.

Also, randomly throwing this out there what type of entry year salary do most IT graduates get? Just would like a rough figure to expect.

I'm not saying this part in a cocky way, but I'm a really capable student and a hardworker. The past three years have been so rough, especially after doing so well in school my entire life. But I'm determined to have a very successful career in IT Management and would just like any advice to get off on the right foot.

Any advice/info would be well appreciated. Thanks.

[SwiZz]

also, of the certifications that are available, which would be the first and most useful one to pursue?

[thecharlie]

Hey there,

Being a Computer Science student at Ryerson, I'm sort of the same boat as you. I think getting your certs are very beneficial to your job hunt in the future. For an IT professional, I suggest you start with getting your A+ (it's a nice start to get you rolling for your certifications), then start heading towards Network+, MCSA, and CCNA certifications if you're interested going the Network route. There are tons of certs you can get. I found this site to be very useful:

http://www.techexams.net/

A great community to get your information on your certs.

Good luck

[CharmyPoo]

Personally, I would have stuck through your final two years at Waterloo. I truly believe that a Sys Eng degree from Waterloo is valued much more. I have been impressed with the Sys Eng I work with and we hire a lot of Sys Eng at my Consulting firm. However, since you have made the switch, I would suggest that you focus on getting good co-op experience and hopefully land a job with your last co-op term employer.

[bionicbadger]

If you want to end up in management you have to get at least a few years experience doing the work you will be managing...

[tomincanada]

I'm an IT manager myself right now in a small company - it's really hit and miss how long it can take to become a manager. You'll have to start out programming / network admin or something for a few years and learn some management type skills on the side. In a large company you may get lucky and get the opportunity to lead a few projects and if you do well... perhaps a management position might not take to long.

It really is the luck of the draw as some companies have a lot of personnel movement and roles open up quickly - others don't - I toiled around in small companies for quite a few years without much luck.

As for skills - IT certifications are good for programming/network admin but don't help much for management. I myself have project management training and that is not only very trendy but quite useful and is the kind of thing that looks good on a resume. If you have time & money, get an MBA - that will expedite the process quite a bit but it's a lot of work.

[joo]

There's really a range of IT manager, depending on the type of work you end up doing. Here are two examples:


1. A person that does the key technical work and may supervise a handful (5-10) of staff. A typical path is:

Network Admin / Helpdesk / Developer --> Team Lead --> Manager

Starting salaries would be 30k-50k, ending at 80-90k as manager.


2. A person that leads a larger staff (20+), knows the work but doesn't do much (if any) hands on work. This example is more on the application development side and a typical path is:

Help Desk / Developer --> Snr Developer --> BA --> PM --> Manager
(BA = Business Analyst)
(PM = Project Manager)

Starting salaries would be 30k-50k, ending at 90k-120k as manager

There are many variations, and they depend largely on the organization you're with.
As for certifications, again it depends on the career path you want and the organization - some value certifications and some don't. The larger ones such as banks, do. Small shops that just want the work done, don't.

[llAPll]

Personally, I would have stuck through your final two years at Waterloo. I truly believe that a Sys Eng degree from Waterloo is valued much more. I have been impressed with the Sys Eng I work with and we hire a lot of Sys Eng at my Consulting firm. However, since you have made the switch, I would suggest that you focus on getting good co-op experience and hopefully land a job with your last co-op term employer.

agreed

a sys eng fresh grad would probably get a job paying $50k+....

but then again u really didn't enjoy what u did, so i guess u made the right choice.... i myself hate comp eng, but i'll be graduating in 3 months and the future hopefully looks bright

[tomincanada]

i myself hate comp eng, but i'll be graduating in 3 months and the future hopefully looks bright

Honestly, I can't see how someone will succeed doing something they dislike.

He absolutely made the right choice leaving the program.

[SwiZz]

Thanks for all your comments, suggestions and advice. I'm definitely going to look into taking some of those certification courses when I have the time.

And as for leaving the program. It was a tough decision. I failed my 1B term at Waterloo, and I thought about leaving the program at that time, but I guess you can say its that feeling where you feel you have to prove yourself to everyone, kept me to stay in the program. So I waited the year, passed the term and went on to my 2A term. Although in this term, I struggled quite a bit too. I had 2 math courses, 2 physics courses, and a programming course.

The thing is if I had slacked off in my terms at Waterloo, I would be disappointed in myself. But I busted my ass each term trying to do well, because grades are something I've always been competitive with. But I'm still disappointed I didn't make it past my 2A term. I felt I could have done more, but I guess everyone can always "do more" than they do.

But I didn't like the program. It's a great program, but I never felt interested in what was being taught. Which made studying for it so much more brutal. I didn't care for these fancy schmancy calculus theories they're trying to teach me which I can't ever see myself using in the future.

But now doing IT Management, I LOVED my accounting course last semester. It made so much sense, is so useful to know for the future, and I enjoyed going to lectures and doing the assigned readings. It just makes school a lot more easier if you really enjoy what you're doing.

[llAPll]

but then again u really didn't enjoy what u did, so i guess u made the right choice....

Honestly, I can't see how someone will succeed doing something they dislike.

He absolutely made the right choice leaving the program.

that's what i said too....

but also, i'm sure if u randomly ask people, majority will respond that they dislike their current job... but life is life rite? u gotta do what u gotta do. not every lands a dream job that they enjoy or even love doing.... someone has to pay the rent (mortgage) rite?

[ynchu]

I would say... think about getting a job in IT, then think about getting a job in management. There are experiences you need in order to become successful in management that you just cannot learn at school.

[weedb0y]

that's what i said too....

but also, i'm sure if u randomly ask people, majority will respond that they dislike their current job... but life is life rite? u gotta do what u gotta do. not every lands a dream job that they enjoy or even love doing.... someone has to pay the rent (mortgage) rite?

Thats why its critical to be in what you will do and like to do everyday of your life. Rent/mortgage can be paid either way, you cant escape it.

[thecharlie]

I agree as well. I'm currently finishing up my Computer Science degree. I've hated the program since 2nd year and I know that I am not a right fit for it. I'm finishing as per my parents request. After this however, I'm pursuing Law, which is actually my first choice to begin with. I hope it works out. But definitely, go into what you love. There will always be ways to pay the bills. You wouldn't want to get into something and regret it for the rest of your life.

[TenzoR]

I agree as well. I'm currently finishing up my Computer Science degree. I've hated the program since 2nd year and I know that I am not a right fit for it. I'm finishing as per my parents request. After this however, I'm pursuing Law, which is actually my first choice to begin with. I hope it works out. But definitely, go into what you love. There will always be ways to pay the bills. You wouldn't want to get into something and regret it for the rest of your life.

your parent wanted you to do Comp Sci instead of Law? well that's a first ...